Winemaker Notes
Displaying heady aromas of blueberry, pennyroyal, sage and baking spices, this smooth and sultry wine beckons a first sip. On the palate it is rich and expansive, with velvety tannins and voluptuous flavors of ripe blackberry, purple plum and red-iron minerality building to a long, dramatic finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
So supple, broad and luxurious, as almost-sweet black fruit coats the palate and leads to a lingering finish. It's full-bodied, moderately tannic and generously spiced with cinnamon, cloves and vanilla bean from oak aging.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From estate-grown fruit, the 2021 Pinot Noir Gowan Creek Vineyard opens with a lovely aromatic nose of rose and forest, delving on the palate into a sweet, generous, full-bodied, fruity expression of blueberry scone. The lengthy mid-palate is defined in an ongoing layering of lush baked blue and black fruit character, the oak well-integrated and bold.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.